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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Busking last night at Phoenix's First Friday...
Busking last night at Phoenix's First Friday...
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isaacullah
1226 posts
Nov 06, 2010
7:16 PM
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Okay, so I've played out on the street a few times in the past, but I've never had the guts to put out a hat before. I've been thinking a lot about really "busking", and as of last night, the perfect opportunity came along and I finally decided to just do it. The short version is that it was awesome. For the long version, read on!
So, here in Phoenix, we have this one pretty cool thing. Most of PHX is kind of a cultural desert, especially concerning music and the arts. There are a few Oases in this desert, however, and the largest of these is the Roosevelt Arts District in mid-town Phoenix. It was a run-down neighborhood of derelict warehouses, degenerating 50's bungalows, and empty lots. In the early '00's, a community of starving artist types started moving in to the area to take advantage of the low rents, large spaces, and do-it-your-self ethos of the neighborhood. They opened galleries and performance spaces, and started an informal "festival" on the first Friday of every month. All the galleries open their doors and invite in the public. They serve some snacks and (used to) have some booze for the guests. They'd have their musician friends play in the galleries and in the alley's, etc. Well, this thing caught on, and has since become huge. Now there's a bunch of bars and restaurants and stuff, and the area has been/is becoming revitalized. Now, especially since the Light Rail was put in, several thousand people descend on the area every first Friday, and it's become a pretty big monthly thing.
So that's the back drop. I've been going to first Friday's since we moved here over 5 years ago. I'd always noticed a plethora of impromptu performances and a few buskers. There (seemed to be) no permitting issue, and it seemed like a very good place to get one's "busking toes" wet. The problem has been motivating myself. Am I good enough? Will people actually give me money? What to play? What to bring? Do I need to practice whole "sets" beforehand? All these questions had kept me from actually getting a plan and just doing it.
Well, last night was a first Friday, and it's the first one in the cool weather, so I had it in the back of my mind that this might be the best time to "just do it". My mind was made up for me when my wife told me that our Friday plan was to hop on the light rail with some of her friends and head to downtown PHX because there was some new "urban shopping mall" opening, and they were having Macy Gray play for free. And there was some swanky "Urban" bowling alley opening that she wanted to go to too. Now, nothing against Macy Gray or "Urban" bowling alley's, but that's not really my cup 'o tea, if you know what I mean. So I got out my man bag and brought along my harps and my tips hat, and when my wife and her friends headed towards Macy Gray, I headed out to Roosevelt avenue. I first hit up my favorite watering hole in the neighborhood (The Roosevelt), to drink down some "liquid courage", and then I started scouting. I was sans-amplifier, so I needed a place that was relatively quiet. Of course you need some foot traffic too, right? So I walked around and around, and just couldn't find a good spot. There were too many amplified bands playing, and any quiet spot was too out of the way.
Despondent, I headed back to the light rail station, resigned to try out "urban" bowling. Well, then luck shined on me. As I was walking, I saw this empty concrete planter box, just off to the side of the side walk. As luck would have it, there was no loud bands near, and, as this was the main route between the Light Rail stop and the main area of the festival, there was very high foot traffic. Without a second thought, I sat down, pulled out my harp case, and put out the tips hat (with a few coins for "inspiration").
Man, it took a good ten minutes before I got my first bit of coin tossed in! Damn! That felt good! Then I got some more! Then I got a whole dollar! It was awesome. I was playing shuffles, straight grooves (not shuffle blues and others), and a bunch of slow blues (heavily borrowed from Front Porch!). I played some of my reggae-ish stuff too... I was doing pretty good. I'd say in about 45 minutes, I had amassed 5-6 bucks.
Then I really got lucky. This dude with a Djembe drum came by, and was like "Harmonica! I LOVE harmonica! Can I play with you?". Of course I said yes! So he sits down next to me, and I was like "Just start playing, and I'll come in." So he does. It turns out this dude was really good on the thing! The groove was "island"-ish, so I pulled out my Natural Minor (D, Am), and started to comp a bit. After a minute or two, we started to really sync up, and then I just went for it. We had a SOUND goin on, and it was HOT! Man, as soon as we started rolling, the coins started FLYING in. In about 15 minutes, we made at least $15. It was awesome. I wish I had a tape recorder or something! We were grooving. I was soloing over him, and then I was comping and he was soloing. The groove was tight, the rhythm was complex and rich, and the minor harp really fit in and stood out at the same time. We really reached one of those musical "easy plateaus" that I always hear about. You know where things just seem to happen on their own? The harp was just playing itself, and I was kinda watching it all disembodied? Anyway, it was just straight improv, and I started playing all these riffs that I'd never even thought of or tried before. And we just naturally came to consensus as to when to trade off the lead... At the end, I switched to a normal D harp, and we played a bit more of bluesy feeling groove. Then, just as it started, it was over. I split the pot with him (man, he earned it!), and I played for a few more minutes before the foot traffic slowed down, and I went to meet up with my wife.
Some of the other highlights: I got my picture taken by a blogger (I forget the website). I got a gold dollar! I had a dude come up who had his own harp, and was like "Man, I just got this, and I want to learn to play like you!" So I gave him a few pointers, and told him to come to this site, and to look up the good doctor's YouTubes! I had a lot people smiling as the went by, and in the end, I earned about 14 bucks! That's half a harp, and not too bad for a little more than an hour's work!
So, if any of you fine folks out there are in the same state of mind about busking as I was before yesterday: Just do it! The first moment is the scariest, but then you just forget about it. Look the good people in the eye as they walk by you as you're playing. When they see you trying to entertain them (rather than just playing for yourself), then they drop some change! And who knows, maybe you'll get a chance to play with an awesome musical partner!
Cheers,
Isaac (Busker-in-training)
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 View my videos on YouTube!"
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AV8R
69 posts
Nov 06, 2010
8:49 PM
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Cool story, sounds like it was a great night!
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Hobostubs Ashlock
1214 posts
Nov 06, 2010
11:02 PM
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yea cool story ive had the same worries,I havent tried yet but i got a local flea market that im thinking about doing except i have to pay $5 to set up,a booth but i want to do it just to do it.
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nacoran
3181 posts
Nov 06, 2010
11:41 PM
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Cool. I'd be happy if I just got sandwich money! (I had a couple of those musical moments myself at practice tonight, although I still am getting tripped up on the lyrics on one song every time. The groove was pretty good on all but two of our tunes.)
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Nate
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LIP RIPPER
324 posts
Nov 07, 2010
3:57 AM
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Fun is what it's about, not fame.
I love 50's Bungalow's too. So practical and a covered front porch.
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Littoral
178 posts
Nov 07, 2010
4:50 AM
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GREAT story-and well written. You've planted a seed that I may have to feed.
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eharp
901 posts
Nov 07, 2010
5:15 AM
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that sounds fantastic.
the planter box is mine, btw.
i will be waiting for a small "donation" for rent.
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pharpo
406 posts
Nov 07, 2010
6:38 AM
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Sounds like a great time....are you going next "first Friday"?
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Procrastinator Emeritus
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isaacullah
1229 posts
Nov 07, 2010
11:40 AM
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Thanks guys! Yeah, I am definitely doing this again. I've taken the lay of the land, and have a better understanding of what I need to do. Next time, I'll get there earlier, and see if I can snag this spot, or another one as soon as possible. This time, I didn't get there until 9:30, and didn't find my spot and start playing until like 10:30. The thing really get's going around 7:30 or 8:00, although some people show up as early as 6:00.
Some other things I learned: 1) Bring a small fold up stool or chair (i've got a good camping stool that I'll bring next time). This let's you set up anywhere, regardless of the availability of "planter boxes" or the like (btw, eharp, the check's in the mail!). Yes, one could stand and play, but I think if you are going to do it for more than an hour, sitting is necessary. 2) I'm definitely bringing my amp next time. I've got a sweet little 10 watt battery powered amp (A Jay Turser Classic 10), so I can bring it anywhere. There is CLEARLY no permitting issues with amps at this thing, so that's no worry. Plus, I think that more folks will dig amped harp tone over acoustic, and I'll be easier to hear. Hopefully, that'll translate to a bit more coin thrown my way! (but yes, it's more about fun for me than making a dollar). 3) I'll be on the look out for a partner. Playing with that Djembe guy was really cool, and definitely caught people's attention more than I did when I was playing on my own. If I can figure out how to get my looper to be powered by an external battery box, then I think a looper could definitely fill in the place of a partner...
So yeah, it was a very cool experience. It boosted my confidence, and has opened the door to the busking world. I don't think I'll ever have even close to the same level of anxiety about it again!
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View my videos on YouTube!"
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Rev. Jim
19 posts
Nov 07, 2010
4:26 PM
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Very cool. I have been thinking of doing the same thing, but not sure how the Japanese take to buskers (I live in Japan). Won't find out until I try, right?
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Ant138
640 posts
Nov 07, 2010
11:36 PM
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Nice one Isaac! I keep meaning to do the same thing but i keep losing my bottle to do it. I once played on a public street in Bristol but i didn't have the gut's to put my hat out.
I can imagine it does alot for your confidence. I'll get round to doing it one day:o)
Proud of ya Isaac!!!
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http://www.youtube.com/user/fiendant?feature=mhum
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mikolune
62 posts
Nov 07, 2010
11:47 PM
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Isaac, wow great success !
@Rev. Jim: where do you live in Japan ? I live there too, in Tokyo. I've tried it out in the streets with no problem. In Tokyo, one good spot was in the pedestrian tunnel connecting East and West parts of Ikebukuro, good acoustics and a lot of traffic. I was playing there with a friend on Ukulele a few times, no amplifier, and we had some good fun - no money hat out but some people stopped and listened out. Once a guy with an electric keyboard came and joined use, adding to the groove.
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Rev. Jim
20 posts
Nov 08, 2010
12:33 AM
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Mikolune: I live in Ishikawa, in a small town near Kanazawa. I work in Kanazawa everyday, so that is where I would do my busking. More than likely it would have to be next Spring, as it is already getting cold here in ??.
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Rev. Jim
21 posts
Nov 08, 2010
12:33 AM
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That ?? is supposed to read "Snow Country."
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isaacullah
1231 posts
Nov 08, 2010
1:02 PM
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Thanks Jim, Ant, and Mikolune.
Yeah, I had played out on the street before, but not asking for money, and only on a "normal day" with only a few passers by. This was my first time playing while having the hat out, and also my first time at a special event where there were a whole bunch of people. Definitely a different experience, but very worth it. When I started getting serious with the harp, my main goal was to get good enough so that I could play out on the street, and if I did so, I might get a few coins chucked my way. I was not (and still am not) interested in being in a band. So, for me, playing on the street is the furthest extent of a public performance that I'm likely to ever do, so I'm glad to find out I CAN do it! Anyway, definitely give it a go! You won't be sorry.
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View my videos on YouTube!"
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toddlgreene
2064 posts
Nov 08, 2010
1:07 PM
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Issac-I have yet to get the nerve up to do this. I play in clubs all the time, but I've never busked! It's a different kind of nerve, I think. Kudos to you for getting out there. Around here, there seems to be an unwritten rule that you have to smell horrible and look like the cast from Fiddler on the Roof in order to be a street musician in the French Quarter. Did you dress up or down for the occasion?
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
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isaacullah
1232 posts
Nov 08, 2010
1:18 PM
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Todd, I didn't even think about what to wear! LOL! I went as I always do to this kind of thing: Levi's, a pearl button western shirt (untucked), and some vans. California-slacker style! :)
There were a few folks fitting your description, but most of the street performers here are just young fairly normal musician-types...
It's funny that you mention "a different kind of nerve". See, I would be WAY more freaked out playing up on a stage! And I do public speaking all the time, too, in front of hundreds of people sometimes! It's something about being up on a stage with an instrument, and (supposedly) being the focus of everyone's attention for 30-40 minutes. On the street you only have to keep their attention for like 30-40 seconds, and then they move on! Way easier for me to do! :)
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View my videos on YouTube!"
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Rev. Jim
22 posts
Nov 08, 2010
1:32 PM
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Ha ha! This is true. I'm in front of people all day, everyday - and the thought of being in front of people with an INSTRUMENT scares me to death. For some reason, however, busking does seem doable to me.
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toddlgreene
2065 posts
Nov 08, 2010
1:42 PM
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The 30-40 second thing reminds me...i was recently talking to a guy about playing in the street, and my mentality is that of a club player-gotta have enough songs for 3 sets, etc...but then I remarked that I hear the same two or three songs from everyone in the quarter. Most folks only stick around for a minute or so, so you could probably get by with three songs all day! Of course, that would bore me to death(or make me very proficient at those three songs!), so I'd probably have to have enough tunes for an hour straight.
Hey, here's a new 'challenge' idea that might be just the motivation I need-how about an MBH busking challenge? Have a video made of yourself playing out in the street somewhere. First timers or not.
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
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isaacullah
1233 posts
Nov 08, 2010
2:09 PM
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Hey yeah! That does sound like a great idea for the next challenge! I think it might be the motivation several folks need in order to get them out there on the street. Probably we wouldn't get as many entries, but that's okay, I think. It's doubly cool since the man who sponsors this here forum got his start out on the street. We'd be kind of paying him an homage with a "busking challenge". I like it. After BYOBO2, we'll start discussing the details.
By the way, yeah, I don't know a whole lot of songs, but I practiced about 10 or so different tunes I know getting ready for this. It turns out, I only played about three or four of them all night long. I just kept going back to the ones that seemed to get the coins flung my way! Mainly, that was a slow blues (a la Front Porch style), an endless groove-type of 12 bar shuffle that I do using lots of chordal notes, and Beauford Chapel Breakdown (aka, not-a-shuffle blues). Oh, and also the solo part from my own minor reggaeish song "Re-action". People just seemed to LOVE that kind of stuff. Slow blues, groove blues, and reggae/ska. Playing solo, un-amplifed harp, there's not too much else that people can hear, let alone want to give you money for! :) Basically, you have to borrow HEAVILY from Adam's catalog, and throw some stuff in of your own here and there! He's definitely figured out a good sound for solo harp on the street!
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View my videos on YouTube!"
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BronzeWailer
26 posts
Nov 08, 2010
2:56 PM
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Inspiring stuff, Isaac. I went to my first open jam on Sunday, and had a blast. Full of nerves beforehand, but once I started playing I thought, 'Hey I can do this!'
Like you, I have played 'on the street' before, but never as a busker. Have often thought about sticking out a hat. Maybe I'll have to invest in one.
Thanks for sharing your story!
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kudzurunner
2010 posts
Nov 08, 2010
3:06 PM
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Isaac: You are in the game, brother! That's how it all starts--just like you described.
One small tip from a master-busker: always seed your tip-bucket with a bill and some change. Nobody wants to be the first to certify you, but lots of folks are willing to ratify the certification.
Congratulations! We want video! I am willing to create a new page on this website called "busker's corner" in which I post and link videos and photos of forum members who have made the leap.
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eharp
902 posts
Nov 08, 2010
3:22 PM
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"Nobody wants to be the first to certify you, but lots of folks are willing to ratify the certification. "
lol
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isaacullah
1234 posts
Nov 08, 2010
4:15 PM
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Thanks Adam! And thanks for the tip! Yeah, I had some change in the hat when I started, but when I wasn't getting anything, I put a couple of bills in there, and after that, that's when I got my first coins in there! They sure didn't want to certify me, but I guess I got ratified after that! (I LOVE that analogy! It works for so many other things in life too!)
Yeah, I'll try to get some video next time. I wish I had my camera for when that Djembe player and I were jamming! And having a "buskers corner" on here would most certainly be pretty sweet!
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View my videos on YouTube!"
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